Wright VS SK Combination Wrenches

[Gotmayhem]

I know this topic has been discussed before but I've heard both companies have been changing in quality of late so I liked to get some current feedback.

I'm looking for a new set of combination wrenches and have been looking for a set made in the USA with a quality brand-name. The SK and Wright offerings seem to be the best in terms of bang for buck, does anyone have preferences between the two? The two sets I'm looking at are these:

Wright
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=WRI952

SK
http://www.tooldiscounter.com/ItemDisplay.cfm?lookup=SKT86265

I've also considered the Williams SuperCombos for a little bit extra, mainly for the grip on the open end. If I'm correct the Wrights I linked are not the WrightGrip variation?

Thanks guys

 

[Chadwilliam1]

both are equal . I have read bad things about Wrights warranty. I would get Sk but for no good reason.

 

[Snapped-off]

The Wrights you posted should be WrightGrip.

Personally suggest the Wrights over SK, because I have a use for the advanced open end.

Edit: My experience with Wright's warranty has been positive so far, warrantied a few sockets with no problem.

 

[John in OH]

I personally like Wright tools, but I've heard good things about the new US made SK tools; however, I have no personal experience with them. I've never been disappointed by any of my WrightGrip wrenches.

Check out this recent thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189387

 

[Davefr]

Check the exact specs. SK's std. wrenches tend to be a little shorter then others. (that can be good or bad)

 

[bobcatdan]

Buy one set in metric and the other in standard, problem solved.

 

[shoturtle]

The wright tools would be my choice, they are up there with proto and USA made Williams in the industrial level, . They make excellent industrial grade tools. And we never had any issues warranting our them.

 

[buco]

The people that compare say Wright grip is just as good or better than Snap-On.

 

[Gotmayhem]

The Wrights you posted should be WrightGrip.

Personally suggest the Wrights over SK, because I have a use for the advanced open end.

Edit: My experience with Wright's warranty has been positive so far, warrantied a few sockets with no problem.

I tried looking into it on Wright's website and it seems that for smaller sizes every open end is WrightGrip now? Does anyone know if that is correct? Because that seems to be the impression I got from Wright at least.

Check the exact specs. SK's std. wrenches tend to be a little shorter then others.

Yea I've heard that as well. If I do go SK then I may have to pick a long pattern set instead.

Buy one set in metric and the other in standard, problem solved.

This is actually a very reasonable suggestion . I hadn't considered that but I am now.

Thanks to everyone so far, every bit of input helps.

 

[CWP1616L]

Is SK still making square wrenches that bite into your hand? I know they used to anyway.

 

[Gotmayhem]

The people that compare say Wright grip is just as good or better than Snap-On.

That's interesting to hear. I haven't used WrightGrip yet, only FDP. I would have just assumed the Snap-On design would give better grip just by visually comparing the two because it has the ridges on the tip of the open end jaws.

 

[CWP1616L]

The Wright's have a nice rounded beam but they're too short.

The SK's have a square beam AND they're too short.

 

[shoturtle]

If you are concern about the length, save the debate time and go with williams or proto

 

[shoturtle]

PS

If you want a smooth jaw long pattern USA made, get the armstrong.

 

[CWP1616L]

If you are concern about the length, save the debate time and go with williams or proto

That makes too much sense.

 

[Gotmayhem]

If you are concern about the length, save the debate time and go with williams or proto

Thanks for the heads up. I saw a comparison between the Wright and the Williams and as you said the Williams is slightly longer. If the quality is identical then paying a bit more for the longer Williams set would be worth it.

 

[shoturtle]

Williams USA are excellent tools, quality is right there with wright and proto.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Williams USA are excellent tools, quality is right there with wright and proto.

Agreed, I love my ratchets from them. The only thing that had me doubting their wrenches was the feedback concerning spreading in that thread that John posted in the beginning of this thread.

 

[shoturtle]

all wrench spread at some point. And if you are pushing the open end that much to spread a flank drive williams, you are really using the wrong tool. It is time for a 6pt box end or 6pt socket or something. You will mar the hell out of the fastener on top of spreading the jaw.

 

[byoungblood]

All Wright combination wrenches feature Wright Grip now, provided what they have is new stock. If they are selling off any older stock there is a possibility that you may get the old style plain open ends, but I've ordered from a couple of retailers and have always gotten the Wright Grips. Length wise, they are roughly halfway between a Craftsman RP and a SO FD+. Take it for what it is worth, but the Craftsman Industrial SAE wrenches I own have proven to be too long on a couple of occasions, so sometimes longer is not always better. Frankly I find the Wright combos to be a good compromise length.

As far as their warranty is concerned, I called them up a couple of weeks ago to get a rebuild kit for a 4400 ratchet, and the lady I spoke to on the phone was very helpful, and a few days later the rebuild kit was on my doorstep. Personally, I'm not really concerned about breaking something like a combination wrench unless I just get a bad one.

 

[vintagefan]

All Wright combination wrenches feature Wright Grip now, provided what they have is new stock. If they are selling off any older stock there is a possibility that you may get the old style plain open ends, but I've ordered from a couple of retailers and have always gotten the Wright Grips. Length wise, they are roughly halfway between a Craftsman RP and a SO FD+. Take it for what it is worth, but the Craftsman Industrial SAE wrenches I own have proven to be too long on a couple of occasions, so sometimes longer is not always better. Frankly I find the Wright combos to be a good compromise length.

As far as their warranty is concerned, I called them up a couple of weeks ago to get a rebuild kit for a 4400 ratchet, and the lady I spoke to on the phone was very helpful, and a few days later the rebuild kit was on my doorstep. Personally, I'm not really concerned about breaking something like a combination wrench unless I just get a bad one.

^^^This


I constantly see people bagging on Wright as if their modest length is a bad thing.

If the fastener is that hard to turn, I'm going to use a breaker bar or impact. I have had my extra length wrenches get in the way MUCH more often than I've had my shorter wrenches "be too short".

 

[CWP1616L]

Snap-on sets the standard for combination wrench length. Anything shorter is too short.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Sure obviously there are going to be times when a longer wrench will be getting in the way. But in my case I already own a set of SAE and metric C-man and plan on ordering some stubbys as well. I'm really just looking for a new tough set that will ideally last a long time and take as much torque as I can put on it. That seems to be the idea way to go, one set of short, medium, and longer wrenches.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Tough choice. SK is nice. Skip the regular length SK and get the long patter, though.



What are you insinuating with this comment?

Only that SK has changed hands quite a bit since the 80's and I've read that quality has gone up and down just about every time. As for Wright my searches on this forum brought up some decently recent complaints in quality control. Not really insinuating anything, just commenting on what I've read on this and other forums.

 

[Hiball]

Only that SK has changed hands quite a bit since the 80's and I've read that quality has gone up and down just about every time. As for Wright my searches on this forum brought up some decently recent complaints in quality control. Not really insinuating anything, just commenting on what I've read on this and other forums.

Every manufacturer is gonna have bouts with QC, how a company handles the situation is what defines them as a company.. Nuff said.

And you don't stay in business for 80+ years producing junk, can't go wrong with either.. I prefer the wright myself.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Wright make good wrenches.

However I would look at the Williams supercombos they are a well made wrench.

I have a set of CAT branded metric and AF and they are great wrenches

 

[shoturtle]

Every manufacturer is gonna have bouts with QC, how a company handles the situation is what defines them as a company.. Nuff said.

And you don't stay in business for 80+ years producing junk, can't go wrong with either.. I prefer the wright myself.

Well they really did not stay in business for 80+ years in the case of SK, they would have gone under is ideal did not buy them.

 

[Hiball]

Well they really did not stay in business for 80+ years in the case of SK, they would have gone under is ideal did not buy them.

Always a stickler for the Details who wants to leave out the details... SK has been around since the Early 1900's in one shape or Form, Yes they have been sold off a handful of times over the last 25 years but the SK Hardline Design has stayed constant. Again... You dont continue to Manufacturer or invest in Junk for over 80 years.. Ideal realized that and took a ailing poorly run company and has made Very Subtle changes to a Hardline that was previously solid for? Yes.. 80+ years.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

this should have been a poll.

 

[shoturtle]

Always a stickler for the Details who wants to leave out the details... SK has been around since the Early 1900's in one shape or Form, Yes they have been sold off a handful of times over the last 25 years but the SK Hardline Design has stayed constant. Again... You dont continue to Manufacturer or invest in Junk for over 80 years.. Ideal realized that and took a ailing poorly run company and has made Very Subtle changes to a Hardline that was previously solid for? Yes.. 80+ years.

Yes Ideal has invested in the brand name of SK, and have been investing in it and hoping to turn it around. But the hard line design may be constant, but the quality was a roller coaster at times.

 

[Hiball]

Yes Ideal has invested in the brand name of SK, and have been investing in it and hoping to turn it around. But the hard line design may be constant, but the quality was a roller coaster at times.

The only Qc issues that can recall was during the imploding of SK under Claude Fluger... When there was turmoil in the company over healthcare/wages. That was only for a short time previous to Sk restructuring under bankruptcy. Then again.... Some of these QC issues where very minor, but blown completely out of proportion here at GJ. And of course... If its on the Internet it has to be true...

 

[shoturtle]

SK has gotten better under ideal. But it really have not been a consistence by your premise that it is a 80+ year old company, so they should know what they are doing. Yes they have a problem and some issues were minor, some not as much. I would not over simply the issues that company went through.

Williams, Wright, Proto, and Snap on have been around for a long time as well, they have been consistence.

 

[Hiball]

SK has gotten better under ideal. But it really have not been a consistence by your premise that it is a 80+ year old company, so they should know what they are doing. Yes they have a problem and some issues were minor, some not as much. I would not over simply the issues that company went through.

Williams, Wright, Proto, and Snap on have been around for a long time as well, they have been consistence.

All tool companies have QC issues here and there, including Sk and ones you listed Above. Especially Williams.. In regards to there satin finished wrenches from the 90's, it was impossible to find one that didnt have chipping finish on the business end. Sk's issues didn't stem from forging issues, metallurgy etc... It was pissed off workers not giving a ****.

If you go back in history, Every brand is gonna go through a period, where there gonna produce a product that is less than stellar or have poor Qc, the good companies change the design, address the issue and move on. Anyone who will sit at there keyboard and claim a brand is immune to these issues is fooling there self.

 

[shoturtle]

I deal with buying tools form all brands on an industrial scale at work. And I have seen issues with sk besides the chip chrome. That it was a concern that my company totally drop the sk tool line, and only deal with williams, proto and wright. When you put in massive orders and more then 5% of the tools had issues. It will cost you time on the work site. A .5% fail rate is acceptable a 5% is no where near acceptable in the industrial grade world. Maybe in a consumer grade.

 

[Hiball]

I deal with buying tools form all brands on an industrial scale at work. And I have seen issues with sk besides the chip chrome. That it was a concern that my company totally drop the sk tool line, and only deal with williams, proto and wright. When you put in massive orders and more then 5% of the tools had issues. It will cost you time on the work site. A .5% fail rate is acceptable a 5% is no where near acceptable in the industrial grade world. Maybe in a consumer grade.

Blah at industrial use.... I've seen farmers/hillbillies abuse tools In a way that would make OSHA ****** up your wallet faster than you could snap a made in India wrench.

Again... Back to where we should be, I don't care about numbers or percentages. If it was possible to be around tools for 80 years you would find era's from every brand where they let a subpar product out the door. Where a company shines is how they handle the situation, whether its warranty or a complete change of design.

 

[shoturtle]

SK is not longe a company, it is a brand of Ideal.

Warranty time is money, when their are bonuses for finishing early and penalties for being late. And I am just saying that the loral of a so call 80+ year company should not be what you base a buying decision on. Get what you need at the quality level you want.

 

[Hiball]

SK is not longe a company, it is a brand of Ideal.

Warranty time is money, when their are bonuses for finishing early and penalties for being late. And I am just saying that the loral of a so call 80+ year company should not be what you base a buying decision on. Get what you need at the quality level you want.

Does ideal sell Sk tools under another of there umbrella brands? No, So everything that comes from Sycamore, Ill is essentially SK. Yes/No?

The second part makes No sense... Not everyone is working timelines associated with bonuses or penalties. I do believe that that longevity does say something for a company, maybe not as much the name on the door, but its hard to argue when companies utilize certain designs/patents for decades.. In today's market where competition is fierce, your not gonna use the same design for 80+ years if sending failure out the door.

 

[montanafordman]

I don't have SK combination wrenches, but I love my SK flare nut wrenches.

The only Qc issues that can recall was during the imploding of SK under Claude Fluger... When there was turmoil in the company over healthcare/wages. That was only for a short time previous to Sk restructuring under bankruptcy. Then again.... Some of these QC issues where very minor, but blown completely out of proportion here at GJ. And of course... If its on the Internet it has to be true...

As for previous QC issues, I bought a set of deep well sockets during their implosion and bankruptcy sometime around 2009. They're great sockets and I've been very happy with them. The only issue I had was out of a (I think 15? piece) set of 6pt sockets I had one 12 pt. Ordered a replacement 6pt to keep the set consistent (I'm a bit OCD here) and I have no complaints. I will deffinilty continue to buy SK products!

 

[dirtydogintex]

The only Qc issues that can recall was during the imploding of SK under Claude Fluger... When there was turmoil in the company over healthcare/wages. That was only for a short time previous to Sk restructuring under bankruptcy. Then again.... Some of these QC issues where very minor, but blown completely out of proportion here at GJ. And of course... If its on the Internet it has to be true...

One of the tool houses I deal with carried SK and Wright.... now they only carry Wright.
Haven't had the chance to talk in detail w/the owner but in passing he's told me problems w/SK's QC and bankrupcy lead to his parting of the ways w/SK.
Yeah - the owner is a straight shooter.

FWIW he strongly recommends Wright!! *L*
Personally I like SK's flare nut wrenches and crowfeet.... which for the most part were purchased from him!

I constantly see people bagging on Wright as if their modest length is a bad thing.

If the fastener is that hard to turn, I'm going to use a breaker bar or impact.

or a cheater - pipe or wrench....

I have had my extra length wrenches get in the way MUCH more often than I've had my shorter wrenches "be too short".

+1

 

[shoturtle]

Does ideal sell Sk tools under another of there umbrella brands? No, So everything that comes from Sycamore, Ill is essentially SK. Yes/No?

The second part makes No sense... Not everyone is working timelines associated with bonuses or penalties. I do believe that that longevity does say something for a company, maybe not as much the name on the door, but its hard to argue when companies utilize certain designs/patents for decades.. In today's market where competition is fierce, your not gonna use the same design for 80+ years if sending failure out the door.

SK is not a company, it belongs to Ideal and it is one of their brands and a division of theirs. And there is no way to spin it.

And yes SK did send **** out their loading docks for a while, that was a result of a poorly ran company.

Like I said Ideal is righting the ship. But sk is no where as popular or has any where the market shear they once had.

As for the second part, their are tools for every budget, and you can expect a fair amount of quality in each grade.